David Lee recalls trying to get Noah to class on time

Golden State forward David Lee won’t play Thursday against the Bulls. His left elbow was sore and swollen after it collided with Wilson Chandler’s mouth on Wednesday in New York.
Lee finished the game against the Knicks, but part of a Chandler tooth was removed from his arm after the game and he said this morning, the pain was unbearable. He visited the ER to get some antibiotics and hopes to play Saturday against Milwaukee.
In the meantime, Lee told some stories about his first meeting with Joakim Noah at Florida and his brush with the Bulls during free-agency this summer. Lee was a senior at Florida when Noah arrived as a freshman.
“Coach (Billy) Donovan told me that we had like a buddy system and I had to make sure he got to class on time – which first of all, was absolutely impossible,” Lee said. “So I said met me at this designated point, we’ll walk to your first class, you have no idea where the building is. He said, ‘OK, cool D, cool.’
“I see the guy on campus walking. He has shorts down below his waist, no shirt on and a boombox playing music while he’s walking. He’s like, ‘Yo, I’m ready for class.’ I’m like, ‘Jo, come on, man.’ He’s like, ‘What?’
“So that was my first ‘getting him to class’ experience. He’s a very free-spirited guy, but I think that’s what makes him so special. There are very few guys and it’s a skill in the NBA, playing hard night in and night out and providing that constant effort. He’s got a great skill set, but what makes him special is that intensity he brings every single night. That’s why the Bulls are lucky to have him.”
Here’s Lee on his free-agent experience with the Bulls this summer:
“I came here for a visit, one of the first days of free agency. I don’t want to put words in their mouth, but they were one of the teams that were really after me. It came down to me versus (Carlos) Boozer, and when New Jersey made an offer to Boozer, they made another offer and decided to go with Carlos. I think he’s going to be great for them when he gets back healthy. He’s a great player, so I think they made a good decision.”
BOOZER IMPROVING
Carlos Boozer revealed before Thursday’s game that he had the stitches removed from his healing right hand. He’s hoping to start shooting on Tuesday and return to practice two weeks from now.
It’s still looking as though his most likely return will come when the circus road trip is over, perhaps for the Dec. 1 home game against Orlando.

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Mike McGraw has covered the Bulls since 1995, becoming the full-time beat writer in 1999. He is still haunted by memories of the 1973 Game 7 collapse against the Lakers, Rick Barry and Lionel Hollins. The passion wasn't quite the same during the championship era, but he does appreciate having a good seat at the Delta Center for Michael Jordan's final shot with the Bulls in 1998.

These days, the Stevenson High School graduate enjoys coaching youth sports and tries to incorporate principles taught by Tim Floyd, Bill Cartwright and Scott Skiles into every practice.